The North Hall boys golf team enters today’s Class AAA state meet at the Waynesboro Country Club with a head of steam, including top ranking in the state coaches poll and recent win at the Region 7-AAA meet. The Trojans are part of the 16-team field at the par-72, 6,834-yard course, just south of Augusta. Westminster is the defending state champion.
The Trojans earned their third straight trip to the state meet as the No. 1 seed thanks to low rounds from Landry Haynes (70) and Jimmy Lloyd (71). Haynes secured North Hall’s third consecutive region title with a clutch putt for birdie on No. 18, ensuring the team win by one stroke over Lumpkin County. North Hall placed fourth (303), two shots ahead of Lumpkin County (305) at state in 2008.
Lumpkin County travels to state as region runner-up this year after four of its players shot in the 70s at Chattahoochee, including Aaron George (73), Everett Huntsinger (75), Austin Bookard (77) and Ben Jarrard (78). George fired a 74 and Huntsinger carded a 75 at last year’s state meet at Hawk’s Ridge in Ball Ground.
For the girls, Gainesville is making another trip to today’s state meet held at the Applewood Golf Course in Keysville, which is also just south of Augusta. The Lady Red Elephants (199) finished second at the Region 7-AAA state meet on April 22 at the Sconti Golf Course at Big Canoe.
Camryn Cole led Gainesville at the region meet with a 92, along with
LeeAnn Noble’s 107.
Hall County is represented by two programs in the state semifinals for soccer this week.
The North Hall girls (16-3) are in the state semifinals for the second consecutive season. This year, the Lady Trojans play host to Spalding on Tuesday at the Brickyard. North Hall won its scoreless quarterfinal game against Eagles Landing last Saturday in penalty kicks. Spalding (14-3) defeated Flowery Branch in the quarterfinals last Friday.
Class AAA’s third-ranked West Hall boys (17-4) visit Oconee County (15-4) with a berth in the state title game at stake. The Spartans advanced to the final four with a 2-0 win against Eagles Landing last Saturday at Spartans Stadium. Oconee County won 2-0 against Cairo.
The opening round of the baseball state playoffs begin with a best-of-three series starting on Friday.
Region 7-AAA is represented locally by No. 2 seed Flowery Branch (20-5) and No. 3 seed Lumpkin County (20-6). Flowery Branch plays host to Oconee County (17-6) starting Friday at the Hog Mountain Sports Complex. Lumpkin County visits Elbert County (21-5) for its first-round playoff series.
In Class A, second-ranked Lakeview Academy (23-1) plays host to Fellowship Christian (6-17) in its first round series after winning the Region 8-A title. The region’s No. 2 seed, Commerce (16-8), plays host to Eagles Landing Christian Academy (11-13) starting Friday.
In Class AA, No. 6-ranked Jefferson (20-3) won Region 8-AA and plays host to Model (15-9) at Horace Jackson Field in Jefferson.
It’s also a busy week in track and field with the Region 7-AAA girls championships starting Wednesday, and the boys’ state championships this weekend in Jefferson.